System of settlement transaction and method

Abstract

In a settlement transaction system or settlement transaction method using the system, the system includes a content providing server conducting a digital broadcast, for example, for a CS broadcast, a BS broadcast, a CATV, or a broadcast using ground waves; a settlement server to execute settlement transaction or settlement transaction, an order placement managing server to execute order placement processing, and an order managing server which receives an order of a request from a user to purchase articles and which sends an associated indication to the settlement server and the order placement managing server according to information of the order. The user operates a terminal in which an IC card communication application to communicate with an IC card is only installed. It then becomes possible to reduce a load imposed onto the system in association with a change to an existing digital broadcast system.

1. A settlement server adapted to be positioned in a transaction system including:
 a terminal having: 
 data reading means for reading card identifier information to be used for a settlement operation which have been stored in a storing means provided with an IC card; and 
 data communication means for transmitting the card identifier information and item selection text regarding an article to be purchased with use of the IC card; and 
 a settlement transaction server having: 
 settlement information communicating means for receiving a settlement request prepared in accordance with the card identifier information and the item selection text; and 
 settlement transaction means for performing settlement transaction operation in response to the settlement request received by the settlement information communicating means; 
 the settlement server comprising: 
 (a) receiving means for receiving the card identification information and the item selection text both of which have been transmitted from the terminal; 
 (b) settlement canceling information preparation means for preparing settlement canceling information in accordance with the card identification information and the item selection text; and 
 (c) settlement information communicating means for sending the settlement canceling request, for canceling a settlement having been defined by the settlement transaction server, to the settlement transaction server in accordance with the settlement canceling information prepared by the settlement canceling information preparation means, 
 wherein the settlement information communicating means of the settlement transaction server is further arranged to receive the settlement canceling request, and the settlement transaction means is further arranged to perform a settlement transaction operation in response to the settlement canceling request. 
 
   
   
     2. A settlement server adapted to be positioned in a transaction system including:
 a terminal having: 
 data reading means for reading card identifier information to be used for a settlement operation which has been stored in a storing means provided within an IC card; and 
 data communication means for transmitting the card identifier information and item selection text regarding an article to be purchased with use of the IC card; and 
 a plurality of settlement transaction servers, each of which is provided for a respective one of a plurality of settlement entities, each of the settlement servers having: 
 settlement information communicating means for receiving a settlement request prepared in accordance with the card identifier information available for one of the plurality of settlement entities, and the item selection text; and 
 settlement transaction means for performing a settlement transaction operation in response to the settlement request received by the settlement information communicating means; 
 the settlement server comprising: 
 receiving means for receiving the card identification information and the item selection text both of which have been transmitted from the terminal; 
 settlement information preparation means for preparing settlement information in accordance with the card identification information and the item selection text; 
 settlement information communicating means for sending the settlement request to the settlement transaction server in accordance with the settlement information prepared by the settlement information preparation means; 
 settlement cancelling information preparation means for preparing settlement cancelling information in accordance with the card identification information and the item selection text; and 
 settlement information communicating means for sending the settlement cancelling request, for cancelling a settlement having been defined by the settlement transaction server, to the settlement transaction server in accordance with the settlement cancelling information prepared by the settlement cancelling information preparation means, 
 wherein the settlement information communicating means of the settlement transaction server is further arranged to receive the settlement cancelling request, and the settlement transaction means is further arranged to perform a settlement transaction operation in response to the settlement cancelling request.